India takes five-year pause on coal power plant proposals

• 1 year, 6 months ago (2023-06-05)
• David Flin

Asia 899 Coal 301 Renewables 780

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The Indian Government has announced through its updated National Electricity Plan that it will not consider coal-fired power plant proposals for the next five years in a bid to increase its renewable capacity. The Ministry of Power predicts that non-fossil fuel based capacity is likely to increase to 57.4 per cent of the energy mix by 2026-27.

India is the world’s second largest consumer of coal after China, but is seeking to reduce its reliance on the fuel, which currently accounts for around 70 per cent of electricity output.

India has set a target to source 90 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2047. The current plan includes the recommissioning of coal-fired power plants in 2027, but this could change near the end of the five-year plan.

India plans to install 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 under its New Electricity Plan for 2022-2027.